Doing Business

"Multinationals looking to enter Kenya should engage with the Kenya Investment Authority. They are helpful with advice on regulatory frameworks and requirements. I would definitely advise multinationals to use this as a point of entry".

Loren Bosch, MD, Internet Solutions Kenya

"Kenya Investment Authority has proven very helpful not only to us as a young business but to our clients both local and international. They have been very instrumental in providing information and direction to companies looking to set up their businesses and invest in the region."

Maria Wamakonjio, MD, ESBC Limited

Kenya’s retail property market is growing and the list of new retailers entering the market is deepening; the retail market here is primed and is ripe for growth.

Jonathan Yach, Managing Director, Broll Property Group.

“Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s ‘frontier economies’, and I am very interested in learning how the country’s leaders and people will build on this success moving forward.”

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde

“Kenya has a great creative potential and is a key market in advertising. If you look at last year’s ranking, Kenya is top on the list. This goes to show the worth of this industry.”

Mr. Andrew Human, CEO Loeries Africa Caravan.

“Foreigners are investing more in Africa than ever—and so are Africans” Bill Gates

"Isarel has confidence with Kenya as a key investment hub in the region."

Israel Deputy Prime Minister Avigdor Liberman.

“Nairobi, Kenya is hosting several multinational headquarters, and is strategically located in Africa. It is also the regional business hub in the East African Community.”

Tune Hotels Group CEO Mark Lankester

If you're going to do business in Africa, Kenya is almost a requirement.

Stephen Hayes, Head of the US Corporate Council on Africa.

My Government has prioritized infrastructure development and investment to spur growth and job creation in all sectors of the economy.

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenya is a business hub, with a promising economic growth, fantastic weather, great hospitality personnel and the best safari experience in the world. Kempinski felt confident to come to the market with two properties within the same year- Villa Rosa Kempinski (Nairobi) and Olare Mara Kempinski (Maasai Mara).

Anne Murungi, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nairobi.

"The emerging and growing middle class in Nairobi offers a perfect market for the food retail business."

Business Environment

EconomicKenya’s economy is the largest in East and Central Africa, and has experienced considerable growth in the past few years with average growth rate of over 5 percent. As of 2015, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at USD 63.3 billion with per capita income of USD 1,500. Although the economy remains small by global standards, it is distinguished from most African countries by the fact that it is one of the most diversified and advanced.

Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, manufacturing, real estate and services. Although agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy at 30 per cent of GDP, manufacturing’s share of GDP has been rising significantly over the years. At 10 per cent, manufacturing is the second-largest contributor to GDP, with the processing of agricultural products a key factor in growth.

PoliticalKenya operates a liberal economy which promotes trade and investment. The country has, abolished price and exchange controls. The Government has also instituted measures to sustain macro-economic stability such as prudent fiscal and monetary policies, improvements in economic governance, and privatization of some public enterprises. These policies continue to promote growth by providing a more secure environment for private sector investment decisions.

LegalForeign investors seeking to establish a presence in Kenya generally receive the same treatment as local investors. However, the minimum foreign investment to qualify for Government of Kenya (GOK) investment incentives and an investment certificate is USD 100,000. Kenya’s Foreign Investment Protection Act (FIPA) guarantees capital repatriation and remittance of dividends and interest to foreign investors, who are free to convert and repatriate profitsPrivate enterprises, both foreign and domestic, can freely establish, acquire, and dispose of business enterprises according to the Companies Act. The Constitution of Kenya provides protection against the expropriation of private property. Only permitted subject to the payment of prompt and fair compensation

SocialAs of 2015, Kenya had a population of 44 million with an annual growth rate estimated at 2.7 per cent. The country is experiencing growing consumer demand of high end products and services bolstered by growing middle class and rising trend towards. Kenya's membership to regional economic blocs coupled with her strategic geographic position makes the country the gateway to the huge East African Community (EAC) market with over 135 million people and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) market with over 450 million people. Kenya is a beneficiary of several trade preferential arrangements which includes The African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which gives duty free access to the EU among others